The production and application of silicone softeners in China has experienced four generations






first generation


The hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane emulsion (hydroxyl emulsion) is polymerized from eight methyl ring four siloxane (D4), water, emulsifier, catalyst and other raw materials under certain conditions.






The second generation


It is a polyether modified silicone oil, which is made by hydrosilylation of methyl hydrogen silicone oil with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and other polyether with unsaturated bond at the end.






The third generation


Polysiloxane emulsion polymerization with active groups (amino and epoxy) is basically the same as that of hydroxyapatite, and different amount of silane coupling agent is added to the raw material. The introduction of these amino and epoxy functional groups has greatly improved the softness, smoothness, elasticity of the finished fabric and the durability of the finishing effect. This kind of polysiloxane emulsion with active groups has strong cationic or anionic properties due to the use of ionic surfactants. When combined with other auxiliaries, the emulsion has strong selectivity and poor compatibility.






The fourth generation


Amino silicone oil is the representative of modified silicone oil, which is the most representative silicone softener in the market at present. We usually call aminoethyl aminopropyl polydimethylsiloxane as standard amino silicone oil, and other amino substituted polysiloxanes as modified amino silicone oil. Due to the strong polarity of amino group, amino silicone oil interacts with the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of the fiber to form a very firm orientation and adsorption with the fiber, which reduces the friction coefficient between the fibers. This means that when the fabric is held in the hand, it can start to slide between the fibers with a very small force, so that it feels soft. In recent years, organic modified silicone oil has developed rapidly, and many organic modified silicone oils with special properties have appeared.